Mission and Outreach

MISSION AND OUTREACH

Forest Grove is an outreach-oriented church. We believe that our help is needed here in our own congregation, the local community and throughout the world. We believe as Jesus said in Luke 10:2. “ “the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

DEACON’S MINISTRY

“It is the duty of Deacons, first of all, to minister to those who are in need, to the sick, to the friendless, and to any who may be in distress both within and beyond the community of faith. They shall assume such other duties as may be delegated to them from time to time by the Session, such as leading the people in worship through prayers of intercession, reading the Scriptures, presenting the gifts of the people, and assisting with the Lord’s Supper.” – The PC (USA) Book of Order

Our Deacons

Visit and periodically deliver flowers to the sick and homebound

Provide meals to those who are recovering from surgery or illness

Provide a reception following a Memorial Service

Provide emergency financial assistance to church and community members who contact the church for help with essentials such as medical, utility and car repair bills

Pray for the welfare of those in need

LOCAL MISSIONS FISH: Following the example of Jesus Christ by helping the poorest and weakest members of the community, FISH provides emergency assistance to people in need when no other timely assistance is available. Help is provided regardless of religious affiliation, race, gender or any other personal factor.

Doylestown Food Pantry: Non-parishable food items are collected and donated on a regular basis. During the summer months, the church donates all the harvested crops from our own garden.

MISSIONS BEYOND OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY

Imparare Giocando (Italian Children’s Fund, Naples, Italy): Impoverished children are given a safe place to go after school that also provides homework assistance and nutrition.

FOREST GROVE’S PC (USA) MISSIONS

Camp Kirkwood: This Presbyterian camp offers Christian camping during the summer as well as offers retreat facilities in the off-season.

Children’s Village: Formerly known as the Presbyterian Children’s Village, The Village serves about 10,000 individuals each year, encouraging healthy familial ties and strengthening the communities in the Greater Philadelphia region from its two facilities. The Rosemont campus houses the residential treatment facility for troubled teens and the semi-independent living program for teens who are transitioning out of foster care. The Preheim Center in Southwest Philadelphia is the center for the most of the Village’s community-based services.

Beacon New Church Development: Located in the Kensington area of Philadelphia, this New church Development is a neighborhood faith community that invites people of all ages to grow together through arts, learning, and faith.

Presbytery of Philadelphia, Synod of the Trinity, and General Assembly Missions: Local, national and international missions supported by our denominational higher governing bodies.

Christmas Joy Offering: An annual offering received at Christmas that is used for PC(USA) church workers and their families in need and racial ethnic schools and colleges of the PC(USA) for scholarship funding.

One Great Hour of Sharing: Since 1949 Presbyterians have joined with millions of other Christians through One Great Hour of Sharing to share God’s love with those in need. Contributions assist those affected by natural disasters, provide food to the hungry, and help build strong communities.

FOREST GROVE’S SPECIAL PROJECTS

Annual Summer Mission Trip: Youth and adults from the congregation travel to different areas of the country to complete service projects usually including housing rehabilitation and/or new construction for low income families.

The Church Has Left the Building: On the first Sunday in November, all regular Sunday morning activities are suspended in order that the congregation might go out to engage in a variety of mission project. These include: sharing God’s word in song to residents of a nearby continuing care facility, making pillowcase dresses for children in Africa, Soup for the frail elderly in our area, work at the local food pantry, minor house repairs for elderly church members and neighbors, building improvement at the Beacon New Church Development, assemble health kits for Church World Service, make blankets for the Red Cross and many more. All age levels participate.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”